Senator Akshar announces funding for jail based substance use disorder treatment in Tioga County

Sheriff Gary Howard addresses media and guests during a press conference held Tuesday that announced funding for jail based substance use disorder treatment in Tioga County. Standing with him is Legislator Marte Sauerbrey, and Senator Fred Akshar. (Photo by Wendy Post)

Lori Morgan, director of Community Services for Tioga County Mental Hygiene, addresses guests during a press conference held Tuesday that announced funding for jail based substance use disorder treatment in Tioga County. Standing with her is Legislator Marte Sauerbrey, Senator Fred Akshar and Sheriff Gary Howard. (Photo by Wendy Post)

On Tuesday, Senator Fred Akshar joined Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard and Tioga County Legislature Chairwoman Marte Sauerbrey to announce $156,000 in state funding that will be used to bring jail-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services to the Tioga County Correctional Facility.

As co-Chair of the Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, Senator Akshar advocated for, and secured, $156,000 in the 2018-19 State Budget to help implement, support, and expand these vital services in Tioga County.

Tioga County is one of 17 counties, according to Senator Akshar, to receive this funding. In total, $3.75 million will be distributed throughout these counties.

“I’ve been traveling the state and listening to people that are fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic on the front line,” said Senator Akshar during a press conference held Tuesday to announce the funding.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this,” he added.

You can read the full story on this in Sunday’s print edition of The Owego Pennysaver Press.